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Episode details

Radio 3,29 Jun 2026,134 mins

Death and Transfiguration

Radio 3 in Concert

Available for 29 days

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales are joined by conductor Alexandre Bloch to perform a Violin Concerto, a Concerto for Orchestra and, finally, Strauss's Death and Transfiguration. To begin, Veronika Eberle is soloist in Beethoven's Violin Concerto, a work which was not well received when Beethoven was alive but would eventually become considered as one of the greatest German Violin Concertos. George Benjamin's Concerto for Orchestra serves as both a tribute to, and a portrait of, his dear friend and titan of British music, the late Oliver Knussen. The short, vibrant work is bursting with energy, humour, and spirit. To conclude the concert, Richard Strauss's ravishing depiction of a dying artist who laments his failings as a mortal before ascending to achieve immortal redemption in his Death and Transfiguration. Presented by Shân Cothi in BBC Hoddinott Hall, and recorded on the 14th of May. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op 61 George Benjamin: Concerto for Orchestra R Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, TrV 158 Veronika Eberle (violin) BBC National Orchestra of Wales Alexandre Bloch (conductor) To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert”.

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Violin concerto in D major, Op 61
    Violin concerto in D major, Op 61
    Ludwig van Beethoven
  3. 2.
    Keyboard trio No 34 in B flat major, Hob XV:20 (1st mvt)
    Keyboard trio No 34 in B flat major, Hob XV:20 (1st mvt)
    Joseph Haydn
  4. 3.
    Prayer Bell Sketch
    Prayer Bell Sketch
    Oliver Knussen
  5. 4.
    Concerto for Orchestra
    Concerto for Orchestra
    Sir George Benjamin
  6. 5.
    Death and Transfiguration, Op 24
    Death and Transfiguration, Op 24
    Richard Strauss
  7. 6.
    Rapsodie espagnole for 2 pianos
    Rapsodie espagnole for 2 pianos
    Maurice Ravel